A team with a passing attack as potent as the Falcons’ can’t be dismissed as a Super Bowl contender. It’s nice to have a strong running game in the NFL. But it’s not a necessity anymore. The Giants finished dead last in rushing last season and won a Super Bowl. The Packers finished 24th in 2010 and won a Super Bowl.

To win big in today’s NFL, you have to be able to throw it. The Falcons can pitch-and-catch with anybody, especially indoors at the Georgia Dome.

The Falcons made a bold decision in the 2011 draft, sending a boatload of picks to the Browns and trading up to No. 6 to take Jones. That gamble has paid off for the Falcons. They already had their franchise quarterback in Ryan. They already had enough pieces to be a playoff team. But they needed a deep threat, somebody to take the top off opposing defenses, to provide quick-strike touchdowns and to give White and Gonzalez more operating room.

Jones is that guy. He and Ryan hooked up for an 80-yard touchdown Sunday during the Falcons’ one-point victory over the Buccaneers. Only 23 years old, Jones is a legit star. He is 10th in the league in receiving yards and tied with Gonzalez for tops on the team with six receiving touchdowns.

White topped 1,000 yards receiving for the sixth straight season Sunday. He runs patterns with expert precision. Gonzalez is a certain Hall of Fame player, one of the best tight ends ever. He's 36, but Gonzalez looks like he could play until he is 56.

It will be interesting to watch the Falcons host the Giants on Dec. 16. The Giants destroyed the Falcons, 24-2, in the playoffs last season. If the Falcons want more respect as a Super Bowl contender, they need to show they can handle the Giants’ pass rush and burn the Giants’ secondary with big plays.

Maybe the Falcons fizzle out in the playoffs again, but don’t be so certain. In the NFL, a potent passing game can take you a long way. With Air Atlanta, the Falcons certainly have enough firepower to get to New Orleans in February.